Communication for water distribution networks

Abstract

A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid such as water in a pipe, including a remote pressure sensor operably connected to the pipe for sensing the pressure of the fluid at the location of the pressure sensor. An acoustic transmitter is placed proximate the remote pressure sensor for transmitting the output of the sensors by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in the pipe to an acoustic receiver that generates a control signal in response thereto control a pressure control valve for adjusting the pressure in the pipe in response. The system is intended for a water distribution networks that include a plurality of pipes, with a remote pressure sensor, transmitter, receiver and control device for at least some of the plurality of pipes.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising: 
       a remote pressure sensor operably connected to said pipe for sensing the pressure of said fluid at the location of said pressure sensor;  
       an acoustic transmitter operably connected to said remote pressure sensor and said pipe for transmitting the remote pressure sensor measurement output of said sensor by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;  
       an acoustic receiver operably connected to said pipe for receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and  
       a pressure control valve operably connected to said pipe for adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal based on the remote pressure sensor measurement from said acoustic receiver.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid is water. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe is in a water distribution network. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein said water distribution network includes a plurality of pipes, and said system provides a remote pressure sensor for at least some of said plurality of pipes, and each remote pressure sensor includes a separate acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal through the specific pipe for which said remote pressure sensor has been provided, said network including an acoustic receiver for each of said acoustic transmitters. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein said pipe has turbulent flow and said acoustic signal has a wavelength less than 1.7 times the diameter of said pipe. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein said diameter is between 0.08 and 0.3 meters. 
     
     
       7. A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising: 
       remote pressure sensor means operably connected to said pipe for sensing the pressure of said fluid at the location of said pressure sensor means;  
       acoustic transmitter means operably connected to said remote pressure sensor means and said pipe for transmitting the output of said sensor means by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;  
       acoustic receiver means operably connected to said pipe for receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and  
       pressure control valve means operably connected to said pipe for adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal from said acoustic receiver means.  
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein said fluid is water. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein said pipe is in a water distribution network. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein said water distribution network includes a plurality of pipes, and said system provides a remote pressure sensor means for at least some of said plurality of pipes, and each remote pressure sensor means includes a separate acoustic transmitter means for transmitting an acoustic signal through the specific pipe for which said remote pressure sensor means has been provided, said network including an acoustic receiver means for each of said acoustic transmitters. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein said pipe has turbulent flow and said acoustic signal has a wavelength less than 1.7 times the diameter of said pipe. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said diameter is between 0.08 and 0.3 meters. 
     
     
       13. A method of monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising: 
       sensing the pressure of said fluid at a remote location;  
       transmitting the output of said sensor by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;  
       receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and  
       adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal from said acoustic receiver.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said fluid is water and said acoustic signal is transmitted though said water in said pipe. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pressure in said pipe is sensed in a water distribution network. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said water distribution network includes a plurality of pipes, and said sensor senses pressure for at least some of said plurality of pipes, and each remote pressure is transmitted by an acoustic signal through the specific pipe for which said remote pressure has been sensed, said network receiving each of said acoustic signals for controlling the sensed pressure. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein said pipe has turbulent flow and said transmitted acoustic signal is transmitted with a wavelength less than 1.7 times the diameter of said pipe. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said signal is transmitted in a pipe having a diameter between 0.08 and 0.3 meters.